The Prime Minister designates the ministries responsible for implementing the UKVFTA Agreement.

The Prime Minister has just issued Decision 128/QD-TTg dated January 16th designating the focal agencies for the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UKVFTA).

Attached to this Decision is a list designating the focal agencies for the implementation of the UKVFTA Agreement.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will act as the focal point and lead the content related to: General objectives and definitions; Trade defense; Non-tariff barriers to trade and investment in renewable energy production; Competition policy; State-owned enterprises, enterprises granted special privileges or incentives, and designated monopolies; Institutional provisions, general provisions, and final provisions.

The Ministry of Finance coordinates with the Ministry of Industry and Trade in providing information and data related to state-owned enterprises and relevant ministries and agencies.

Regarding national treatment and market access for goods, the Ministry of Industry and Trade acts as the focal point and presides over general regulations and import/export management; the Ministry of Finance presides over and acts as the focal point for tariff matters; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment presides over and acts as the focal point for matters related to agricultural products.

Regarding customs and trade facilitation, the Ministry of Finance takes the lead, acts as the focal point, and coordinates with other relevant ministries and agencies. The Ministry of Science and Technology takes the lead, acts as the focal point, and coordinates with other relevant ministries and agencies regarding technical barriers to trade. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment takes the lead, acts as the focal point, and coordinates with other relevant ministries and agencies regarding food safety measures and animal and plant quarantine.

Regarding the liberalization of investment, trade in services, and e-commerce, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will take the lead and act as the focal point for trade in services and e-commerce; it will also be the lead and coordinating body for overall implementation; the Ministry of Interior will handle matters concerning the temporary presence of natural persons for business purposes; and the Ministry of Finance will handle matters concerning investment liberalization.

Regarding government procurement, the Ministry of Finance takes the lead, acts as the focal point, and coordinates with relevant ministries and agencies in implementation.

Regarding intellectual property matters, the Ministry of Science and Technology is the lead agency for matters related to industrial property and general matters; the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the lead agency for matters related to copyright and related rights; and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is the lead agency for matters related to plant varieties.

Regarding transparency, the Ministry of Justice will take the lead and act as the central coordinating body; the Ministry of Industry and Trade will take the lead and act as the focal point for establishing and notifying contact points on issues covered by the Agreement.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the lead, acts as the focal point, and coordinates with relevant ministries and agencies in resolving disputes. Regarding cooperation and capacity building, the Ministry of Industry and Trade takes the lead and acts as the overall focal point; the Ministry of Finance takes the lead and acts as the focal point for matters related to small and medium-sized enterprises.

The decision also specifies that during the implementation of the Agreement, the focal agencies are responsible for proactively monitoring, fully attending relevant meetings, summarizing the results of discussions on each assigned issue, and submitting recommendations (if any) to the Ministry of Industry and Trade no later than 15 working days from the date the meeting concludes. For issues exceeding their authority, the Ministry of Industry and Trade will take the lead, coordinating with relevant agencies to compile a report for the Prime Minister's consideration and decision.

During the implementation of the Agreement, if adjustments are needed to suit the actual situation, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in coordination with relevant agencies, will compile a report and submit it to the Prime Minister for consideration and decision.

This decision takes effect from the date of signing, January 16, 2026.

This decision replaces Decision No. 1425/QD-TTg dated August 24, 2021 of the Prime Minister on designating focal agencies to implement the Free Trade Agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UKVFTA).

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/kinh-te/thu-tuong-chi-dinh-cac-bo-dau-moi-trien-khai-thuc-hien-hiep-dinh-ukvfta-20260118105240665.htm